Half-Goblins

Half-goblin characters are unlikely offspring of goblins and humans (and sometimes elves). The wide social and cultural gap between a goblin and a member of the larger folk of Riadus is sometimes overcome through genuine affection, though such romanced rarely last long. Most half-goblins are actually several generations removed from a half-goblin who had a full blood goblin and full blood human for parents. Though such “half” goblins are actually only 1/3 or 1/4 or even 1/8 goblin (or human), they are tend to have carry the same physical traits as an actual half-goblin and are treated as such by both goblins and humans.

Note: The information presented here specifically relates to half-goblins who are also half-human (who are by far the most common), but a half-goblin’s other half may potentially be dwarf, orc or even elf. In such cases one may use the rules for half-goblins, or use the rules for half-orcs or half-elf, whichever the player prefers.

Personality: Half-goblins tend to have personalities corresponding with the environment in which they are raised, though in general they tend to be more curious and mischievous than either humans or goblins.

Physical Description: Male half-goblins tend to be muscular and powerfully built, while females tend to be slim and lithe. Males stand between 5 feet and 5 feet 6 inches, with females averaging an inch or two shorter. Unlike their goblin heritage, a half-goblin tends to be uncannily attractive, with proportions similar to their human parents. In fact, it if weren’t for their long and pointed ears and odd colored skin (which can vary as much as any goblin’s), most half-goblins could easily pass for human. Their appetites tend to be similar to goblins, allowing a half-goblin to eat up to half their body weight daily without growing fat.

Society: Like goblins, half-goblins tend to eek out meager livings along side their goblin brethren. However, many are not content to live in the shadows of humans, elves or other peoples and rise up in an attempt to prove themselves and better their lives among the larger folk. Many of these half-goblins fail, but those who succeed are often respected by humans and elves, and sometimes a hero to goblins.

Relations: Within both human and goblin society, half-goblins tend to be viewed in the same way. A goblin is a goblin is a goblin, and it matters not how much of a goblin is something else. It’s the goblin half that matters. As a result, humans tend to think of half-goblins as nothing more than taller versions of the dirty second-class citizens goblins then to be, while goblins welcome any half-goblin with open arms as one of their own.

Alignment & Religion: Half goblins are curious and free-spirited, and tend to fall away from lawful alignments, though not always chaotic. Half-goblins tend to be more open minded when it comes to religion and will worship any deity prominent among the culture which raised them. Their faith tends not to be very strong, however; half-goblins have been known to simply worship whichever deity is convenient to their immediate needs.

Adventurers: Curious beings at heart, far more half-goblins take to adventuring than their goblin kin. Many adventure because they feel too different among both goblins and humans and so seek their own place in the world, while others can’t sit still long enough to avoid trouble and become an adventurer by accident.

Half-Goblin Racial Traits

  • +2 to One Ability Score: Half-goblin characters get a +2 bonus to one ability score of their choice at creation to represent their varied nature.
  • Medium: Half-goblins are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
  • Normal Speed: Half-goblins have a base speed of 30 feet.
  • Darkvision: Half-goblins can see in the dark up to 60 feet.
  • Fearless: Half-goblins receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against fear.
  • Goblin Blood: Half-goblins count as both humans and orcs for any effect related to race.
  • Nimble: Half-goblins receive a +2 racial bonus on Acrobatics and Stealth skill checks.
  • Weapon Familiarity: Half-goblins are proficient with short swords treat any weapon with the word “goblin” in its name as a martial weapon.
  • Languages: Half-goblins begin play speaking Common and Goblin. Half-goblins with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Draconic, Gnoll, Orc and all Regional Languagese. If appropriate, half-goblin characters may select a Regional Language in place of Goblin as their native language.
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